Australian coal company Montem Resources has pulled the plug on plans for a mine on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
In a letter, Montem asks the Alberta Energy Regulator to end the environmental impact assessment for its Tent Mountain proposal.
The letter says the company will not be resuming mining for metallurgical coal at the site, which last operated in 1983.
The company's decision comes almost three years after the Jason Kenney UCP government quietly rescinded a 1970's era policy protecting the region from mining and preserving it for all Albertans.
A major issue is that the area holds the watershed for much of southern Alberta.
After an outcry from farmers, ranchers, environmentalists, First Nations and others the government set up a committee to come up with recommendations for a new coal policy.
The province moved resource development under Land Use rules.
The NDP last weekend announced it would be put in place an Eastern Slopes Protection Act which would put an end to coal mining there.
CEO Peter Doyle says the company will focus efforts on building a renewable hydro project at the site.
Thu, Apr 18, 1:00 PM
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